Explore the Mechanisms of Pruritus in Bullous Pemphigoid Patients During Remission

December 21, 2010 updated by: National Taiwan University Hospital
The following is the investigators hypothesis regarding the pruritus of BP patients during remission. Anti-BP 180 IgE binds to dermal mast cells, inducing their activation and secretion of mediators after being cross-linked by antigens. Among mediators, histamine directly induces itching and vessel changes, whereas tryptase potentiates itching and vessel changes in an indirect way through the actions of neuropeptides. Tryptase stimulates neurons which in turn secrete neuropeptides.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Detailed Description

Bullous pemphigoid(BP) is a cutaneous autoimmune blister disease. In addition to blisters formation which disrupt skin barrier and result in high mortality, erythematous edematous plaques often develop on skin of bullous pemphigoid patients accompanied with intensive pruritus. As regard with the pathogenesis of BP, it is generally accepted that anti-BP180 IgG is the most important pathogenic factor for blister formation, whereas anti-BP180 IgE which binds to mast cells and induces their activation results in erythematous edematous plaques. Quite a few bullous pemphigoid patients suffer from intensive pruritus even during clinical remission period that means blisters or plaques are no longer on their skin. The reasons why pruritus persists during this period are still obscure.

Pruritus is the most common symptom of cutaneous diseases. Our understanding regarding pathophysiology of "pruritus" has made a remarkable progress in the past decade. Now, it is known that there are various kinds of substances that induce pruritus (pruritus mediators) and different combinations of these mediators are involved in different itching diseases. Moreover, neuropeptides secreted by stimulated neurons can in turn induce neurogenic inflammation.

The following is our hypothesis regarding the pruritus of BP patients during remission. Anti-BP 180 IgE binds to dermal mast cells, inducing their activation and secretion of mediators after being cross-linked by antigens. Among mediators, histamine directly induces itching and vessel changes, whereas tryptase potentiates itching and vessel changes in an indirect way through the actions of neuropeptides. Tryptase stimulates neurons which in turn secrete neuropeptides.

Thus, in order to test our hypothesis, the strategy of this study is to compare parameters between two groups of patients, bullous pemphigoid patients in remission with pruritus and without pruritus. The following parameters in serum and skin will be measured: total IgE, anti-BP 180 IgE, the number and activated status of mast cells, the amount of some mediators and neuropeptides produced by mast cells and neurons, respectively. In addition, these parameters in active stage will also be measured for reference and with a hope to find useful parameters for predicting the persistence of pruritus in remission.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

40

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Taipei, Taiwan
        • Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

primary care clinic,

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with bullous pemphigoid

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients have other disorders which can lead to itching sensation

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patients in remission with pruritus
Patients in remission without pruritus

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Taiwan University Hospital

Investigators

  • Study Director: Yung-Tsu Cho, M.D., Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

December 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 21, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 21, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

December 22, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

December 22, 2010

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 21, 2010

Last Verified

December 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 201006012R

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Bullous Pemphigoid

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Nigeria

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe